6 Responsibilities of a Community Association Manager

Community associations are managing bodies that help maintain and improve the neighborhoods under their purview. Community association managers, or CAMs, implement the plans for these organizations, helping direct association projects and interface with residents. The role of community association management encompasses different responsibilities depending on the size and scope of the community. Though the size and number of communities a CAM oversees can vary, there are responsibilities that CAMs share at any level. Here are six of the things CAMs can be expected to do:

1. Financial Management

Community association management is generally responsible for discharging the associations’ financial obligations. CAMs assist the association board with fulfilling these duties. This includes the collection of dues and fees and allocating those funds to community bills and utilities. CAMs help create budgets for the association and create financial reports for the board to review. It may also fall to the CAM to handle tax preparation for the association. 

2. Administrative Service

CAMs provide valuable administrative support to the community association or board. The CAM provides oversight for the association, guiding association members or committees in executing their tasks. They may also help with maintaining member records for a membership committee or providing reports to an audit committee. CAMs are also often responsible for handling procurement for projects and maintaining records for review. The CAM typically prepares or delegates the organization of presentations educating the association and community members on the association’s efforts.

An effective community association meets regularly to review the status and needs of the community, with CAMs overseeing such meetings. The CAM can schedule regular meetings as well as call additional ones when needed. Another administrative responsibility is collecting and sharing reports on community projects with the association board in preparation for meetings.

3. Community Maintenance

CAMs assume responsibility for some of the upkeep their communities require to maintain their value. A CAM may conduct inspections of their communities to identify needs or confirm reports on maintenance issues. CAMs are expected to be familiar with the maintenance needs of their communities and to requisition the services to do that maintenance. This duty ranges from day-to-day needs like landscaping to emergencies like community plumbing repair. 

Over their career, CAMs accrue contacts and experience that helps them secure maintenance services quickly and affordably. As maintenance services happen, it will be part of the CAM’s responsibility to evaluate the quality and handle vendor payment. 

4. Liaising With Residents

CAMs are expected to correspond regularly with residents, as the residents are primary sources for learning the community’s needs. Opportunities to connect with residents can come at regular association meetings or in one-on-one settings. Some CAMs may also make themselves available via phone or email.

A well-supported CAM is able to field resident correspondence for multiple communities if necessary, building trust with each. An association the community trusts may enjoy greater cooperation with regard to fees and regulations.

5. Implementing Policies

Once the community and the board come to a decision on policies for the community, it will fall to the CAM to adequately publicize and implement the policy. If a new speed limit is being introduced in the neighborhood, the CAM notifies everyone of the change. They then coordinate with municipal officials and vendors to install relevant signage and traffic control. It may also be asked that the CAM cast a deciding vote on policies that lack clear community consensus. In this role, CAMs are ideally prepared to quickly provide their reasoning to the board and residents.

6. Conflict Resolution

CAMs may be called on to resolve conflicts in their community. This conflict may be between community residents regarding a shared space or disruption. It could also be between a resident and the association itself, such as an issue with unpaid dues.

CAMs are also needed to reinforce resident compliance with community regulations. If a dispute is too ambiguous for the manager to personally resolve, they may call on a third-party mediator. This gives CAMs the flexibility needed to resolve disputes without any concern of personal bias.

Trust Your Neighborhood to Community Association Management

The responsibilities taken on by CAMs make them key components of successful communities. Employing a CAM for your neighborhood provides you and your community association more freedom to focus on growing and enjoying your community, as your CAM handles necessary responsibilities on your behalf. Explore local association management options to learn more about how they can help strengthen your community.

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